60.1 - 60.2
In the midst of insomnia, thoughts came to her in fragments: shards of broken glass scattered across the floor … soft lips moving against her own … the knock at the door.

Julianne opened her eyes and stared at the bedroom window. Sunlight spilled through the blinds, casting vague shadows on the floor. She stared at them for a while, focusing on the undecipherable patterns that invaded her carpet. She listened to the silence, trying to make out other signs of life.

But all was quiet in her penthouse apartment. The rest of the world was nonexistent from her throne. It was in those moments when nothing felt real. How had she gotten there? How was any of this hers?

At twenty-three she had accomplished more things than most people did in a lifetime. At least, that's what she'd always told herself. Now she wasn't so sure. What was an accomplishment, anyway?

She thought of James, the homeless man she had encountered on the street all of those months ago. Surviving for him was more of an accomplishment than anything Julianne had ever done.

"I'm going to be rich and famous one day," Julianne had told her grandmother one day. It was the first of many times.

Her grandmother had been silent for a long time, then had said, "And why is that so important to you, Julia? What are you going to do with all that fame and all of that money?"

What indeed.

The phone rang, bringing her introspection to an end. "Hello?" she answered.

"Did I wake you?"

Julianne smiled at the sound of her voice. "I couldn't sleep," she admitted.

"Me neither," Kris said after a moment. "What's wrong?"

"Excessive thinking. You?"

"Same."

"Anthony?" Julianne guessed.

"Partly, but other things, too," Kris told her. "I'm just tired of thinking. I thought I'd call and bother you."

"You're so thoughtful," Julianne joked. "I was thinking of getting furniture today."

"That's what kept you up all night?"

Julianne laughed. "Yes, this is a huge step for me." She paused. "Do you want to come with me? I hate shopping alone."

"I don't know, what's in it for me?"

Julianne grinned. "I'll think of something."

"Oooh, a surprise. I'm in. When are we going?"

"I'll drop by your apartment at one. Sound good?"

"It's a date, Miss Franqui. See you then."

Smiling, Julianne said, "Bye." She hung up the phone and set her alarm for 11:30. That would give her enough time to get ready.

Yawning, Julianne drew the covers over her head and closed her eyes.





Kris had somehow forgotten a very important piece of information: Julianne was Julianne Franqui. Thankfully, the people of New York did a wonderful job of reminding her. Everywhere they went someone would stop them to ask for Julianne's autograph. Some asked the actress for a picture. Others assumed that Kris was someone important too, and asked for her autograph as well. And who was she to deny them?

"Look at that, famous by association," Kris joked once a swarm of people had left them alone.

"Can I have your autograph, too?" Julianne teased.

"Sure, got a pen? I'll sign your forehead." Kris smiled at the actress as they walked. "Does that get annoying after a while?"

"Getting my forehead signed?"

"Do you get your forehead signed often?"

Julianne pretended to contemplate the question. "No, as it turns out, you're the first to even offer."

"What a pity," Kris replied in mock seriousness. She smiled and shook her head. "I meant all the autograph-signing and picture-taking."

"I wouldn't say 'annoying'," Julianne answered carefully. "I'm kind of used to it. I wish I wasn't, though."

Kris nodded, trying to place herself in Julianne's shoes. She found it impossible. How could strangers vying for your attention ever become routine? It felt so strange, experiencing this aspect of Julianne's life. Kris had lost count of how many people had told the actress that they loved her. After hearing it so often, Kris wondered if the word "love" had lost all meaning to Julianne.

"You could have anyone you wanted," Kris found herself saying. She glanced up at Julianne.

"That was random," Julianne replied with a smile.

Kris searched her memory for the last thing Julianne had said. It had been something about autographs. "Sorry," she apologized. "I was just thinking that all of those people want you."

"I'm pretty sure they just asked for my signature," Julianne replied. "Did I miss some offers somewhere?" She turned around jokingly. "Let's go back."

Kris laughed and grabbed Julianne's arm, turning her back around. "Seriously! I bet I could ask anyone if they would sleep with you, and they would all say yes."

Julianne considered that. "I bet it's safe to say that most gay men and straight women might not be too keen on the whole sex thing."

"Fine, give me your cell phone," Kris demanded.

Arching a brow, Julianne handed it over. "I hope this is a quick call you're making. I'm on a tight budget."

"Oh shut up," Kris answered, smacking Julianne on the arm with the phone. "I don't even want to know how much money you have." She started dialing the number to her brother's apartment. After a few rings, Mark picked up. "Hey, Mark? It's Kris."

"Hey, sweetie. How's it going?"

"Good. I am just calling to ask you a question."

"Me?"

"Yes, you. You're the gayest guy I know."

"Aw, thank you."

Kris smiled. "Alright. So, say you had to sleep with a woman. Would you sleep with Julianne Franqui?"

"Honey, that girl can get into my pants any time."

With a satisfied smirk, Kris said, "Thanks! I'll talk to you later. Send my love to William." Kris hung up and grinned at Julianne. "See?"

"See, what? I didn't hear what he said," Julianne answered.

"He said you could get into his pants any time."

"And how do I know you're not lying?" Julianne challenged.

"Call him yourself," Kris said, waving the phone in front of the actress' face. She hadn't actually expected Julianne to grab it, though.

Julianne hit redial and put the phone to her ear.

Kris watched in surprise and amusement.

"Hi, Mark?" Julianne said. "This is Julianne Franqui. I heard you wanted me to get into your pants."

Kris burst out laughing.

"No, this isn't Kris," Julianne said, casting a glance at her laughing companion. "This really is Julianne Franqui … I don't know … Uh, Prada … Well, you can't expect me to remember what kind of shoes I wore two years ago … Okay, fine! Just for that I'm not sleeping with you." She clicked off the phone, and shrugged at Kris. "He didn't believe it was me."

Kris grinned. "I still made my point."

"We still need to find a straight girl," Julianne countered. "Oh, and look at that, I'm staring at one right now. Would you sleep with me?"

Caught off-guard, Kris blushed. She didn't know how to answer the question, though she knew what she wanted to say. "I thought we agreed that I was asexual," she said.

"Cop out," Julianne said, shaking her head in mock disappointment.

"Would you sleep with me?" Kris wondered.

"Oh, look! It's a furniture store," Julianne answered. "Goodie!"

"Cop out," Kris teased, but followed Julianne inside the store. She suddenly wanted nothing more than to know the answer to that question.